Peter M Simpson

US Patent:

6623613, Sep 23, 2003

Filed:

Oct 2, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/678351

Inventors:

Richard A. Mathies - Moraga CA
Charles A. Emrich - Berkeley CA
Peter C. Simpson - Mountain View CA

Assignee:

The Regents of the University of California - Oakland CA

International Classification:

B01D 5702

US Classification:

204453, 204450, 204600

Abstract:

A microfabricated liquid sample loading system comprising a first plate having an array of microfabricated holes passing therethrough; a second plate positioned against the first plate, the second plate having an array of microfabricated holes passing therethrough; and a plurality of microfabricated channels disposed on a surface of at least one of the first or second plates, the microfabricated channels connecting the array of microfabricated holes in the first plate with the array of microfabricated holes in the second plate.

US Patent:

6749734, Jun 15, 2004

Filed:

Aug 28, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/649272

Inventors:

Peter C. Simpson - Oakland CA
Richard A. Mathies - Moraga CA
Adam T. Woolley - Belmont MA

Assignee:

The Regents of the University of California - Oakland CA

International Classification:

B01D 5702

US Classification:

204547, 204450, 204600, 204453

Abstract:

A capillary array electrophoresis (CAE) micro-plate with an array of separation channels connected to an array of sample reservoirs on the plate. The sample reservoirs are organized into one or more sample injectors. One or more waste reservoirs are provided to collect wastes from reservoirs in each of the sample injectors. Additionally, a cathode reservoir is also multiplexed with one or more separation channels. To complete the electrical path, an anode reservoir which is common to some or all separation channels is also provided on the micro-plate. Moreover, the channel layout keeps the distance from the anode to each of the cathodes approximately constant.

US Patent:

6913679, Jul 5, 2005

Filed:

Feb 11, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/249274

Inventors:

Richard A. Mathies - Moraga CA, US
Brian Paegel - Berkeley CA, US
Peter C. Simpson - Oakland CA, US
Lester Hutt - Berkeley CA, US

Assignee:

The Regents of the University of California - Oakland CA

International Classification:

G01N027/447
G01N027/453
G01N030/02
B01L003/02

US Classification:

204451, 204601, 422 70, 422 99

Abstract:

Sample component separation apparatus and methods are described. An exemplary sample component separation apparatus includes a separation channel having a turn portion configured to reduce band-broadening caused by passage of a sample through the turn portion. To reduce band broadening caused by passage of a sample through a turn portion, the turn portion may be constructed and arranged to have a sample transport characteristic that is different from the corresponding sample transport characteristic of a substantially straight portion of the separation channel. For example, the turn portion may be configured with an effective channel width that is smaller than the effective channel widths of the substantially straight portion of the separation channel. The actual channel width of the turn portion may be smaller than the channel widths of the substantially straight portion; the effective channel width of the turn portion may be reduced by placing one or more sample transport barriers or constrictions in the turn portion of the channel. Alternatively, the sample velocity through the turn portion may be controlled so as to reduce band broadening.

US Patent:

20010035351, Nov 1, 2001

Filed:

Mar 9, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/803724

Inventors:

Peter Simpson - Palo Alto CA, US
Ezra Van Gelder - Palo Alto CA, US

International Classification:

G01N027/26

US Classification:

204/453000, 204/450000, 204/451000, 204/600000, 204/601000, 204/604000

Abstract:

The present invention provides a microfluidic analytical device and accompanying methods for injecting a sample and separating the components therein comprising an injection channel and an intersecting separation channel, the two channels formed to be in continuous fluid communication with one another. The separation channel preferably includes a separation material for resolving the components in a sample. The methods include using a first force, preferably a pressure differential, and a second force, preferably an electric field, to move samples through the microchannels. The device and methods are specially adapted to accommodate multiple sample injection and separation. Thus, the device and methods allow for increased sample throughput and are simple and inexpensive to carry out compared to related devices and methods.

US Patent:

20020006359, Jan 17, 2002

Filed:

Nov 25, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/199655

Inventors:

RICHARD A. MATHIES - BERKELEY CA, US
PETER C. SIMPSON - BERKELEY CA, US

Assignee:

AFFYMETRIX, INC.

International Classification:

G01N035/10

US Classification:

422/100000, 436/180000, 422/081000, 422/099000, 141/031000, 141/116000, 141/234000, 141/237000, 204/601000

Abstract:

Apparatus for forward and reverse transfer of fluids through capillaries, consisting of at least one capillary, a pressure generating or housing means, which preferably includes a box, having first and second means for aligning the capillaries from one set of wells to a second set of wells, and applied pressure differential transfers small amounts of liquid uniformly and in parallel. A method of accurately controlling a desired volume of fluid flow is particularly useful for transferring liquids to and from a microtiter dish to a Capillary Array Electrophoresis Microplate having liquid wells spaced in a radially symmetric configuration, or for maximizing desired transfer of the like or improved novel enhanced patterned arrays.

US Patent:

20020060156, May 23, 2002

Filed:

Jul 16, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/906411

Inventors:

Richard Mathies - Berkeley CA, US
Peter Simpson - Berkeley CA, US
Stephen Williams - Berkeley CA, US

Assignee:

Affymetrix, Inc.

International Classification:

G01N027/26
C12M001/38
G01N027/447
C12M001/40

US Classification:

204/601000, 204/451000, 435/287200, 435/288500, 435/303100, 204/453000, 204/602000, 204/605000, 435/286100

Abstract:

A fully integrated monolithic small volume PCR-CE device in glass, or the like materials, is fabricated using thin film metal heaters and thermocouples to thermally cycle sub-microliter PCR volumes. Successful amplification of a PCR fragment is demonstrated on a PCR-CE chip. The process utilizes a linear polyacrylamide surface coating coupled with addition of BSA to the amplification buffer was necessary to obtain amplification efficiencies comparable to a positive control. The micro-reactor reduced significantly the time required for amplification and the reaction volume was in the sub-microliter regime. Likewise addressed are the known problems connected with reliable microfabrication of metal coatings and the insulating layers required to shield these layers from the PCR reaction mix, and the longstanding unresolved issue of exposed metal regions in the PCR-CE chip resulting in electrolysis of water and bubble formation whenever a voltage is applied. The instant teachings employ external heaters and thermocouples and, as such, have alleviated many of these problems. Heaters and thermocouples may still be thin film deposited after chip bonding allowing for easy scale-up to multichannel devices. In addition, direct deposition of these chip components insures good thermal contact with the PCR reactor.

US Patent:

20020068357, Jun 6, 2002

Filed:

Aug 9, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/927431

Inventors:

Richard Mathies - Moraga CA, US
Eric Lagally - Berkeley CA, US
Peter Simpson - San Francisco CA, US

International Classification:

C12M001/38

US Classification:

435/287200, 435/303100, 435/288500

Abstract:

A miniature device has a body including one, two or more reaction chambers. The reaction chambers are constructed for one or more of the following: sample acquisition, preparation or analysis. Preferably, a sample preparation reaction includes nucleic acid extraction, amplification, nucleic acid fragmentation, labeling, extension or a transcription.

US Patent:

20050019902, Jan 27, 2005

Filed:

Aug 14, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/918575

Inventors:

Richard Mathies - Moraga CA, US
Eric Lagally - Berkeley CA, US
Peter Simpson - San Francisco CA, US

International Classification:

C12M001/38

US Classification:

435287200, 435286100, 435303100

Abstract:

A miniature device has a body including one, two or more reaction chambers. The reaction chambers are constructed for one or more of the following: sample acquisition, preparation or analysis. Preferably, a sample preparation reaction includes nucleic acid extraction, amplification, nucleic acid fragmentation, labeling, extension or a transcription.